Ciopper running for selectman Special Town Meeting postponed

By Peggy Aulisio

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southcoasttoday.com

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Posted Feb. 14, 2013 at 11:31 AM

Posted Feb. 14, 2013 at 11:31 AM

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By Peggy Aulisio

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ACUSHNET — Former Selectman Michael Cioper has entered the race for selectman in Acushnet, turning what looked to be a sleepy race into a contest. He will face off with incumbent and current Chairman David E. Wojnar.

A former selectman, Mr. Cioper said he wants to be part of the process of hiring a new town administrator if Alan Coutinho retires. He said Mr. Coutinho's contract will be up for renewal over the next few years and that he may be "on his last contract."

Mr. Coutinho said Tuesday, "I have indicated in public that this is probably my last contract."

Mr. Cioper also said property taxes are a big factor in his decision. He said, after seeing his own property tax bill go up $500, he realized, "It's not an affordable town anymore."

He said the auditor keeps giving Acushnet's municipal government rave reviews, but the books are being balanced "on the back of taxpayers." He said the town should seek more commercial development as a source of tax revenue.

Mr. Cioper served previously as selectman from April 2006 to Nov. 6, 2009, when he resigned, after being reelected to a second term in April 2009.

Mr. Cioper said he was self-employed at the time and was dealing with a bad economy and other personal issues. He said he knows his resignation will be an issue in the election, but that he'd already served the town for close to 30 years. He added that he has "never been recalled" from office.

Mr. Cioper faulted Mr. Wojnar for not supporting the Board of Public Works in a bid to "expand water and sewer in town." He said Mr. Wojnar opposed it because he "didn't like the makeup of the BPW at the time," and said it was all for personal reasons.

Asked about Mr. Cioper's comments on Tuesday, Mr. Wojnar said he was supportive, but voted against giving $350,000 to the BPW for a wastewater study for Phase 3 "when they couldn't even handle the sewer project (for Phase 2) and then they wanted to do another."

He said, "I was concerned about the cast of characters that were pursuing it."

Mr. Wojnar said he worked with State Rep. Robert Koczera to get funding for a study in the state budget, but the governor took it out of his budget because of the state's fiscal situation.

As for his being recalled along with other School Committee members in 1992, he pointed out that it was 20 years ago.

"The residents obviously didn't think it was a big deal because they elected me to the Board of Selectmen five times" since then, Mr. Wojnar said.

He said, "I'm happy to debate Mr. Cioper any time or place about my vision for the town and he's wanting to drag us back 20 years."

According to the Town Clerk's office, candidates for other races do not face challenges.